Science Forums 2

[Don Blazys]

To: CraigD.
Any particular independent variable constitutes essentially one symbol, as does any particular non-negative integer. Therefore, independent variables must "naturally" assume non-negative integer values only, and allowing them to assume other values (as is often done) is really just an unnatural "shortcut" that in certain cases may even have the potential to undermine the integrity of a higher order mathematical construct.
Thus, if we want our math to be "perfectly rigorous", then we absolutely must insist that our independent variables represent non-negative integers only, and that all other "reasonable" numbers (negatives, fractions, irrationals, transendentals, imaginaries, complex, and so on) then be derived by performing operations on them, and them alone.
With this in mind, please check out my proof of the Beal Conjecture on my website (donblazys.com).
Also, thanks for the added info on LaTex.

Don.